Yeah...this was fun to write. lol. I think I laughed quite a few times. Plus, Ayame's one of my favorite characters, so it's always fun incorporating him into my Furuba stories.

Oh what a long week it was for the boys. Having to live with the fact that Shigure knew of their feelings. Both knowing that the other could easily find out should Shigure let something, a small hint, slip out. Naturally, the two avoided one another and Shigure. Their game of "Avoid the Sohma" lasted an entire week until one Monday morning when the two went downstairs for breakfast. Kyo stepped out of his room, running his hand through the messy patch of orange on his head and Yuki came out of his straightening his shirt. And their eyes landed on one another. Niether spoke. They just stared. Kyo couldn't hold back a blush, and Yuki, at seeing Kyo blush, blushed as well.

Damn it, did Shigure say something?!

Please, don't tell me Shigure told him...

After a few more minutes of staring, they snapped their gazes away from each other and Kyo forcefully shoved past the rat, almost knocking him to the ground. Yuki shook himself back to normal and proceeded down the steps, a bit slower than usual as to avoide running into Kyo once more. When Yuki reached the bottom step, he heard a scream from the dining area. Kyo's scream. Yuki jumped a little and quickly went to the dining room where Kyo was backed up against the wall, a look of shock on his face.

"What is it?" Yuki asked, trying to sound more annoyed than worried.

"Th-Th-That..that...THING just popped out of nowhere!!"

Kyo pointed a shaky hand to a little gray...something curled up in the corner. Yuki stared at it for a moment, then let out a frustrated sigh when he realized what, or who rather, it was.

"Ayame..." The rat muttered.

"My apologies, Kyo." the snake Ayame uncurled himself and slithered over to the pair, "I didn't mean to frighten you. It was a bit chilly outside and I transformed, so I slithered in through the door when Shigure stepped out for the paper."

"Why the hell did you just have to pop up like that and talk to me?! You scared the living hell out of me!" Kyo was still backed up against the wall, his chest heaving up and down with every deep breath he took.

"Like I said, it wasn't intentional."

"It doesn't matter if it was intentional or not!"

Yuki sighed a little, relieved.

For a minute, I thought Kyo was in some sort of trouble...

"Kyo?! Are you okay, I heard you scream." Tohru jogged into the dining area.

"He's fine." Yuki said and crossed his arms over his chest, "Ayame just scared him."

"Ayame?" Tohru looked around for the silver haired man, "Where? I don't see anyone..."

"Down here, Tohru!" came the snake's voice.

Tohru looked down at the floor and saw the little gray snake. She giggled a little and waved down at him.

"Good Morning, Ayame. Was it cold outside?"

"Unfortunately yes." The snake heaved a sigh, "So cold that I just poofed into a snake and had to slither in and try to get someone's attention. Kyo was the first person I saw so I tried to talk to him but...well...it seems I scared him instead."

"Awww, you poor, helpless thing." Tohru said sympathetically. Her eyes must have grown 3 sizes in looking at the so-called helpless snake, "That must have been terrible. Can I get you anything, Ayame?"

"Oh, Tohru, you're such a sweet girl. But no, I'm quite alright."

"Alright. Are you sure? Because I'm right here if you need me and -"

"Ms. Honda," Yuki said and placed his hand on Tohru's back and bringing her rambling to an end, "He's fine."

"Anyway!" Ayame let out a small giggle and directed his attention to Kyo, "Well, might I have a word with you?"

"If you needed someone to talk to, why didn't you just talk to Shigure?" Kyo sunk to the floor and crossed his legs.

The little snake Ayame sighed a little and bowed his head slightly.

"W-what the...?"

"Alright, you caught me." the little snake let an exaggerated sigh, "It wasn't that I wanted to talk to the first person I saw. I just needed to have a word with you, Kyo. You and you alone."

"Uhmm...Okay. What about?"

Normally, Kyo wouldn't give Ayame the time of day. This made Yuki question, "And you're actually willing?"

"Yeah, I guess. I mean...what harm could it do?"

Yuki raised an eyebrown, "Who are you and what have you done with Kyo?"

"Yuki! Don't be so quizzical."

"I'm not being quizzical, you stupid snake." Yuki growled.

"Yes you are, my little brother."

Yuki rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest in frustration, "What did you want to talk to him about?"

"It's somewhat of a private matter, actually. So if you could be so kind as to leave and take Tohru with you..."

"What's it about?"

"Don't worry, Yuki! I won't bite him"

The snake let out a jovial laugh. Even Tohru giggled a little. Yuki, both annoyed and slightly embarresed got to his feet and promptly left the dining area, followed by the still giggling Tohru. Once the two were gone, Ayame told Kyo to close the door so no one would hear.

"Alright, what's up? And make it fast, cause Tohru's probably almost done with breakfast." Kyo said and sat back down, crossing his legs.

"Alright, I'll get right to the point. As an older brother, it's my duty to lead Yuki down the right path. I've done such a poor job of it in the past, but now i wish to fix things." Though he was in zodiac form, the seriousness on Ayame's face was clear.

"Okay?"

"Kyo, I believe it's due time for Yuki to find...his other half, we'll say."

"Other...half?" Kyo was completely lost.

"You know, his soulmate, one true love."

"Oh...OH! Wait, no way! Like I'm gonna help with something like that!"

"But you must, Kyo! It won't be much trouble. I already have the person in mind and Yuki's known this person for quite some time."

Kyo tensed up and almost went pale. Ayame couldn't possibly...be talking about him could he?

"Umm...Wh-Who is it?" Kyo questioned, almost not wanting the answer.

"Tohru."

"T-Tohru? You've gotta be kidding!" Kyo said loudly.

The snake hushed Kyo and shook his head, "Keep your voice down. Yes, Ms. Tohru. Oh, haven't you seen the way he looks at her? The way he's always smiling when she's around? It's a match made in heaven. But they don't see it themselves. We just need to push them in the right direction."

"Well...you do the pushing by yourself. I'm not gonna do this. Like I give a damn about Yuki's love life."

Kyo stood to his feet and stormed out of the room so quickly that Ayame didn't even register he'd left for a couple seconds. Kyo, fists clenched and teeth gritting, stomped upstairs. He couldn't explain why he was so upset.

Damn it, why the hell would I wanna help Yuki get with Tohru? He doesn't need to date her. She's fine alone and so is he. I can't believe that stupid snake even suggested that!

Kyo was confused. Though he wasn't aware of it. These extreme feelings of anger weren't at all anger. In fact, they were jealousy. And Shigure, who'd over heard the entire conversation from the hall, knew it, and he smirked to himself as he watched Kyo go upstairs.

"Ah, young love..."

:giggle: :giggle: Oh, what a sneaky little snake he is. And what a jealous little kitty Kyo is. :grinning like a mad woman: Review!